Donald Trump sues Deutsche Bank, Capital One in attempt to block congressional subpoenas – USA TODAY
Speaking to reporters on his way to Atlanta, President Donald Trump says his White House will be “fighting all the subpoenas” issued by House Democrats in their investigations into his administration. (April 24)
AP, AP
President Donald Trump is suing Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an effort to prevent them from providing financial records requested through congressional subpoenas.
In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York late Monday, Trump asked the court to declare the subpoenas invalid and prevent the banks from complying with the orders.
The complaint is the latest in a series of disputes between the White House and Congress regarding Trump’s conduct. The president last week filed a federal lawsuit to block the Democratic-controlled House from obtaining financial records from his business’s longtime accountant.
Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and the Trump Organization are included as plaintiffs in Monday’s lawsuit.
‘All the subpoenas’: Congress and Trump prepare to battle over wide-ranging probes
Complaint: President Trump and his businesses ask a court to block Congress from obtaining accounting records
“The subpoenas were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the President and his family, and to ferret about for any material that might be used to cause him political damage,” the lawsuit states. “No grounds exist to establish any purpose other than a political one.”
The chairs of the House financial services and intelligence committees, Reps. Maxine Waters and Adam Schiff, respectively, said in a joint statement that the lawsuit was “meritless.”
“This lawsuit is not designed to succeed; it is only designed to put off meaningful accountability as long as possible,” they said.
At least six congressional committees are investigating Trump’s personal finances, his inauguration committee, his business practices before he took office and his conduct since assuming the presidency for evidence of corruption or abuse.
Previously, Trump told reporters he will resist every subpoena. He has refused to provide his tax returns, breaking from more than 40 years of tradition by presidents and nominees.
“We’re fighting all the subpoenas. These aren’t like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020,” Trump said last week. “The only way they can luck out is by constantly going after me on nonsense.”